Band Accompanying

I had a practice with all band students this week. It was SO MUCH FUN!!! Wednesday I left the school skipping. I was completely prepared and had to take down tempos to match the students. I thought I might, but hey, better to slow down than speed up. I had the gamut of students - prepared, musical and talented; and no timing, no clue, and no idea how to play with a piano. I had to tell many students not to correct their mistakes while playing with me. It didn't occur to me that it wouldn't occur to them.

Thursday I had many more advanced students and I am struggling with one of those songs. I will do well just to get through it with any shred of dignity. I wonder why I didn't return this one like I did 2 others. Here's one page just to give you the jist. So many accidentals and sharps & flats in the same measure AND tempo is quarter note=120. Even though the left hand is whole notes adding the left is so difficult because I can't take my eyes off my right. Sigh. Up side is, student has IMPECCABLE timing and is spot on and fabulous. And she also practiced with a metronome and a recording of the accompaniment. Good for her.

The festival is this Thursday. I got paid from most, some forgot and will pay me next week, so it was a nice reward to see some money roll in. I wonder if I can hold on to it long enough to buy a piano. Or if I can find one within my price range that I like.

More Stress in February

I received an email while on vacation from Brett Dupree, who is Band Director at our local LinnMar Middle School. He asked if I was able to accompany some of his kids at a solo festival on Feb 25. The kids would pay me $15 for my services. I replied and said I would be happy to, but I'm not great so don't give me any hard pieces, and please may I possibly have more than one student if the schedule allows.

Tuesday I picked up my pieces. Brett said he gave me the most and sent me on my way. Bryn and I walked back to the car, I buckled her in, and I started sifting through the music right away because I was so anxious to see what I got. TWENTY-THREE pieces!!!! Gulp. I started feeling nauseous. I thought I would get 5 or so. I really thought that I might throw up. How am I going to do this?? And, note to self: ask more detailed questions before saying yes to anything!!

I picked up A&C from school and sat down at the piano. Some were way easy and I could play the first time through. Some will require some time from me, which I don't have much of since oh, Sunday, and how much time can I devote to one piece since I have 23??

The next day, Wednesday, I just had to give 2 pieces back, there was no way I could do them. Then Brett said, "Have you accompanied before?" "Yes," I said. "Is it okay to skip the middle note of a chord, stuff like that?" "Crystal," he said, "it's okay to skip every third chord."

Oh. Now I feel better. But really, it's been a LONG TIME since I've really played the piano. I only started playing again because of my Primary Pianist calling. It had been 5 years before that really since I had touched a piano. Yowza.

So the last 2 days I have been spending hours on the piano, in between hours on the computer & phone doing Primary stuff. I need someone to come and clean my bathrooms. Just let me make it through February!

You Can Make This!

I recently became acquainted with a new website www.YouCanMakeThis.com. They have patterns for sale that subscribers can submit, and from the comments I've read, the patterns are really professionally done with lots of pictures and great instructions. They are starting a new line of videos for "how to" that I'm really excited about! Of course, I only follow directions, I don't write patterns. They also have a sister site, www.youcanquiltthis.com and I need to spend more time there. The Valentine pillow they have on their home page is adorable! Here's their introductory video: